I recently visited Washington, D.C. for the first time. After arriving, I walked a few blocks to the National Mall, and thought a little about the impeachment trial occurring nearby. But mostly, I thought about free speech. A large part of the Mall was blocked that day, with several streets and walkways closed. Bus after …
I know I’m not the only one who notices how things change as we get older. In particular, there’s something about traditions, holidays, and milestone events that allow for a comparison through time. Last week, for example, the Canadian Finals Rodeo became a bit of a time machine for me. I joined my mom on …
Continue reading Holding each other up, through 25 years of finals
I once worked with an executive who had his own way of saying things. For his retirement, we made posters with a caricature of him and all his favourite catchphrases. While this one didn’t make the poster, I do remember him telling me, "Everyone seems equally pissed off with us, no matter what side they …
Here’s an easy-to-swallow statement: I think it’s sad when people die. I’m going to assume most people generally agree with me there. But let’s digress for a moment. (Although I’m pretty sure you’ll see where I’m headed.) A few days ago, I completed a government survey on supervised drug consumption sites. As I wrote in …
The first time someone told me I was introducing myself incorrectly was several years ago. Coworkers and I spent a learning day with Elder Casey Eagle Speaker, and we didn’t get far into the morning before our first lesson. As we attempted to introduce ourselves, he interrupted us. Eventually, he said something to the effect …
On my walk to work every morning, I pass through a playground. On the day after the Alberta election, I took the above photo for this post; the kids’ chalk drawings reminded me of the phrase, “everything we need to know, we learned in kindergarten.” If you read my last blog post, you can probably …
I saw Barack Obama speak in Calgary earlier this month. Dave Kelly, a local personality, had the honour of interviewing the former U.S. president, and started the conversation by asking what advice Obama has for parents trying to teach children how to be kind – especially as the “leaders” around us are often behaving anything …
Earlier in the year, I was in a class where discussion turned to a sensitive topic. As various Canadians’ views of the issue were dissected, I saw one of my classmates become upset. I asked her during the class break if she wanted to talk. Her family lives in a similar region of the country …
I worked in corporate communications for about a decade. My colleagues and I regularly discussed public opinion, and how to influence it. Sometimes, there would be a consultant in the room. They’d be explaining the latest results of some poll or another, and we’d inevitably end up talking about how to reach people in the …
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